Chapter 10 [Parker House, Forest Hills]
Gwen followed Sidewalk's path toward her destination. Emerald Eyes drank in surroundings. Nerves ate at her. She knew Aunt May well enough. The elder woman's cooking excited taste buds. Agreement wasn't there, however, about Peter's fragility. What would I know about Afghans? Nerves and Butterflies knocked around inside of herself. She saw the Parker House right in front of herself. Guess I've shilly shallyed my way right up here! She sucked in Composure's breath and walked up to the door. Her knuckles rapped sharply on Door's wood. Gulp tried to reassure her.
Aunt May opened the door. "Good afternoon, Gwendolyn! You're early!" Smile broke out across Exhaustion's overcast. She stepped aside to allow Visitor's entrance. "Is everything all right at school?"
"Right as rain, Mrs. Parker!" Gwen put on her biggest smile. She wiped boots off at the door. "Where do I hang my coat?"
Aunt May raised an eyebrow. Experience had taught her when Poker Face attempted to cover Emotions. Memoria remembered her own first meeting with Richard and Mary Parker. "There's no need to be so worried, Dear. I won't bite. Besides, you've already impressed me." She held out her hands. "May I?"
Gwen frowned. "Mrs. Parker, I'm sorry." She handed Sea Green Coat over to the hostess. "I didn't mean…." She quailed slightly. Teeth bit Lip.
"What? Oh, my Dear Girl! You just let go of those silly butterflies! I remember how it was when I was dating Peter's Uncle Ben. I was as nervous as you are now around Peter's parents, Richard and Mary. They weren't around a great deal. Still, they were always so welcoming. They knew I wanted to fit in and make my Ben happy. I know you are doing the same thing for Peter. I appreciate how your father and you have accepted him already." Aunt May squeezed Gwen's hands. "So, you promise me. No more talk of proving yourself or measuring up. You already have. I know you two love each other. Just take care of each other."
Relief helped Gwen to relax. "Peter tries so hard…sometimes too hard. Dad really likes him. And I'm just over the Moon where he's concerned! I just…want….well…." She rubbed the back of her neck.
Knowing Chuckle escaped Aunt May's lips. "You want that life with Peter. I know. That makes me happy too. Why do you think I asked you to help me?" Smile spread across her face. Twinkle sparkled in her eye. "I could have asked Mrs. Watson or Mary Jane. They would've done so. No, Dear. I'd like you to help me. We should get to know each other."
Enthusiasm prompted a nod from Gwen. She lowered her guard a touch more. "I'd like that too. There are so many questions. Peter doesn't talk about his parents or anything from high school all that much. I know high school wasn't the easiest with the other kids. I watched how Flash was around him when we started at ESU. I was a jerk toward him too at first." Contrition's sigh rasped from heavy heart. "We didn't know how much he had going on with the Daily Bugle, your health and medical care not to mention school. You know Peter is. He buries himself. He won't let anyone in. I thought he was ignoring me. I know that was just so silly! He just tries to carry too much on himself."
Aunt May nodded. "Peter has had to deal with so much. I guess that's why I try to protect him. Especially after his uncle's death, we've only had each other. Those horrible boys teased him because he was so smart! Well, I gave Mr. Thompson and the others a piece of my mind!" Anger reddened her face. "I would've done the same to you as well, Gwendolyn. I'm glad you changed on your own." She embraced Gwen tightly. "Oh, you're doing that all on your own. I was so worried that Peter wouldn't find anyone."
"Well, he's got us, Mrs. P! He'll never be alone again." Gwen returned the embrace. "Thank you."
"You're welcome! Now, I've made some tea for us. I went up to the attic and brought down some things. Don't tell Peter. He'll scold me for not waiting for him. Oh, that boy!" Aunt May set a tea bag in each of two cups. Tea Kettle dispensed Hot Water to both cups. "We'll let these steep a few minutes." She set Tea Kettle back on Stove. "I have the Quilts and Afghans in the Living Room for us." She pushed a chair out from Dining Table. "Please take a seat, Dear. We do have some time. I can't believe I still had this!" She pointed toward Old Brown Photo Album. "Peter's Uncle Ben was such a photo bug himself! I say! That's probably where Peter got it from." Pride colored Pink across her cheeks. "These are from that fair." Remembrance broadened her smile still more.
"Really?" Gwen took her seat. "Those Wabash folks were sure nice! The Duboises are great. Then, there's Brother Tony. You'll like him. He gave a really nice service for everyone. That diner, MacLindy's, was super duper!"
"Yes, they are." May opened Album. She flipped through Plastic Covered Pages. Nostalgia wafted from each surface. Black and White Photos greeted her eyes. "From how your father, Peter and you talk about it, I imagine it hasn't changed very much. I have yet to meet Mr. Dubois. Everything else I assume is as you say." She checked the tea. "How do you take yours?"
"Milk and some sugar please?" Gwen looked at Aunt May. "That's what Professor Dubois said at the college yesterday. She showed us these really old drawings of scenes around the village and farms. They still look that way. Can I help you with those?"
"I'm fine. Thank you." Aunt May set the cups onto saucers. Then, she fixed each cup accordingly. She set each cup and saucer down one at a time. "Truly so?" She nodded. "Well, Tradition is important after all." She turned Album back to the first page. "Peter's uncle would go up there with the Tompkins brothers to think or just have fun. I think it was more the second rather than the first. You know how boys can be boys?" Mischief sparkled in her eyes.
"Oh, I do." Gwen giggled. She peered right in on Aunt May's shoulder. Interest sparked in her. "That's the farm next door! I remember that." She pointed at the second picture in the third row. Care guided her sip so as not to let Tea spill. "Those folks look older now but they're Kelly's aunts and uncles. Far out! And that's Brother Tony! He looks so young there!"
"He's still preaching? Land sakes! I will definitely need to have tea with him!" Aunt May shook her head. "He's been there for…good grief!...forty years?" She took a draught herself. "Next door? Let me see…" She flipped through a few pages. "That might look familiar."
Gwen nodded. She beheld the Dubois farm as it had been thirty years earlier. Farmhouse seemed much the same. A slender man in simple flannel shirt and jeans stood next to a heavy set woman in plain blouse and long dark skirt. Pony Tail hung down her back. Eyes set firm toward Camera. Fine Posture seemed to clash with her clothes. "They're…?"
"Bill and Jennifer Blackwell. See the girl on the horse in the next picture? If I'm right, that's their daughter, Angela, as a girl. She's Angela Dubois now." May rubbed her chin. "So much like Peter. She was picked on by her classmates for being smart. She worked hard and did her chores. She went to church every week. Kelly's family included her in a couple of things while we were visiting."
Consideration prompted Gwen to a much deeper look at the Blackwells' pictures. Scenarios came to mind of the Blackwells' life on their farm and within the village. They're so old fashioned! No wonder Dr. Dubois is still that way! Wonder how she and her guy met up? Eyebrow arched on that note. "Dr. Dubois' so nice. I remember her looking in on me at the Medical Center. I can't believe Dr. Yates and she worked on me for two days! She's such a great host, Mrs. Parker. That house is so warm and inviting." She sipped from her cup. She has so many ribbons!"
"That's nice. She certainly learned that from her mother. It's a good thing for Angela. Good things come from hard work." Aunt May pointed out a few more pictures with old places. "I plan on taking this with me. Maybe the Tompkinses or Angela might have some suggestions?" She closed the album. "Now let's look over the Afghan and quilt? I want your judgment on that."
"Whatever I can do!" Gwen followed Aunt May into the living room. She saw the three contestants draped across Sofas and Chairs. Her hands covered her mouth. Admiration shook her head. "Wow!" came out in muffled tones. She tiptoed across the room. Regard esteemed each individual piece. Patchwork Quilt covered Couch with Interlocking Stitched Scenes of Birds and Animals. White Afghan held Emerald Edging. Once again, Yarn's stitches wove Patterns into Intricately Woven Material. "Mrs. Parker, this is such nice work. I really wish you could enter both of them."
"I'd love to. Dr. Dubois said I could do one." Aunt May frowned. "Which one do you think is better?" Her eyes went back and forth between each one. "Dear me! I wish I could decide!" Indecision dogged her thinking.
"Well, when in doubt, go to the source! They're both great, Mrs. Parker. Can I use your phone?" Gwen headed toward Awaiting Phone. She rushed into Kitchen and her purse. She rummaged through it. "Where did I put it? Where did I put it?"
"Put what? Gwendolyn, whatever are you looking for?" Aunt May shuffled after her. Confusion confounded her thoughts. "Why are you looking through your purse?"
"Dr. Dubois gave me her number at the Clinic just in case we had questions. I'll keep it quick. She can solve our pressing dilemma." Gwen laid a slip of paper on the table. Finger worked on Rotary Dial over and over again. Ear listened into Receiver.
"Good afternoon. Wabash Medical Clinic, this is Renee. How may I help you?"
"Yes. My name is Gwen Stacy. I'm wondering if Dr. Dubois' available?" Gwen inquired.
"Just a minute. I believe she just came open." Renee put Gwen on hold.
A few seconds later, Angie picked up. "Good afternoon, Gwen. Sorry I don't have long to talk. What can I do for you?"
"That's okay. I just had a quick question about the fair judging on the crafts. I'm with Mrs. Parker. We're looking at a patchwork quilt and an Afghan that are both out of sight awesome. Can she enter both in the judging?" Gwen looked toward Aunt May. Reassurance offered a nod as if to say 'it's okay'.
"Of course, she can enter both! I would encourage her to do so. You might talk with Mr. Jenkins. He's the organizer for the fair's judging. His number's (923)544-7526. Hope that helps. Good luck. Sorry but I have to run. You both have a great day. Take care." Angie hung up. Smile warmed her. Maybe lightning might strike twice for Mrs. Parker? That quilt in our guest room was great. Maybe she might do it again?
Gwen wrote down Jenkins' number and hung up. "Problem solved, Mrs. P!" She put the Clinic's phone number away. "And I kept it real short too! I'll reimburse you for the charges." She held up the number. "Dr. Dubois said it was okay for you to enter both! Why deny your public? They should see these masterpieces."
Aunt May smiled. She normally shied away from long distance calls. Still, Gwen solved Quandary's issue with the two entries. "And you doubt yourself? There now! You see? You kept the call short and got us the answer we needed. Let's have some more tea. Then, we can call that nice Mr. Jenkins and resolve everything.
Gwen nodded to herself. Always got your back, Man o Mine! That's what that old Lovebug's about!
Love did find a way it seemed….